merged

Preparation, Characterization of Polyvinylydene fluoride (PVDF) and
Polyethersulfone (PES) Nanocomposite Ultrafiltation Membrane
Nur Farahana Binti Dzul Rashidi
Supervisor: Dr. Asmadi Bin Ali @ Mahmud
Bachelor of Technology (Environment)
School of Ocean Engineering
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
Polyvinylydene fluoride (PVDF) and polyethersulfone (PES) are hydrophobic polymers
that is prone to membrane fouling which lead to low water flux and the adsorption of
foulants onto membrane surface. Therefore the addition of natural clay into
Polyvinylydene fluoride (PVDF/NC) and polyethersulfone (PES/NC) can be a way to
improve the properties of original membrane. The objectives of this study are to
characterize PVDF/NC and PES/NC nanocomposite ultrafiltration membrane in terms
of morphology, mechanical properties, water content, porosity, crystallization,
functional group and identify the performance of PVDF/NC and PES/NC membrane for
the pure water flux. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results shown the formation of intercalated
as well as exfoliated nanostructures.Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
results shown existence of Si-O groups in this nanocomposite ultafiltration membrane.
Scanning electroninc microscope (SEM) results revealed more finger like pores on
asymmetric membranes. Mechanical properties reduced whereas water content and
porosity increased as amount of natural clay increase. Besides, performance of
membrane was measured in terms of pure water permeability (PWP). The results
revealed that PWP were directly propotional to the applied pressure. The data from
PWP also indicated that PWP was increased from 7.1898 L/m².hr.bar (original
membrane) to 15.286 L/m².hr.bar (nanocomposite). The results shown the addition
of clay insreased permeability and hydrophobicity of membrane.
70 | U M T U N D E R G R A D U A T E R E S E A R C H D A Y 2019